Portable drill rig



Oct 15, 1940. J, c. CURTIS AVPORTABLE DRILL RIG Filed May 5v 1938V 3`Sheets5hee`t l K' ot.15,1940. JQCURTfS y 2,217,674

PORTABLE DRILL RIG Filed May 5, L1958 y, v s sheets-sheet 2-- feo 'ff/w 'y Oct. 15, 1940. J, C, CURUS n v2,217,674

PORTABLE DRILL RIG Filed May 5, 1958 s sheets-sheet s lll Patented oct. 15, 194e` f T i y PORTABLE DRILL RIG VJohn C.`.Curtis, Claremont, iN. -I/I., assigner toy Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporationof f Massachusetts 1 ApplieationlMay 5,1938, serial 10.206.194

13 claims. (ci. 255-51) 4This, invention relates' to portable drillrigs, and more particularly to an improved portable drill rig for a hammer rock drill whereby the latter may be supported through a wide range of drilling positions with respect to the work and readily transported from place to place.

' An object of `this invention is to provide an improved portable drill rig. AAnother Qobjectfis to provide an improved portabledrill rig fora hammer rock drill vwhereby the'lat'ter may be supported through a wide range of drilling positions. A further object is to provide an improved portable'drill rig which is not only simple in design and light in'weight, butgis ysalsoextremely rugged and ldurable in construction.. Yet another object is to provide an impIOved portable drill `rig for a hammer rock drill, wherein a swinging boom structure having 'a' swiveludrill mounting at its outer end is employed for Vsupporting the drill, the boom structure having novel means for swinging the saine into and for locking it in its diierent adjusted positions. A

still further 'object is to, provide improved fluid supply means for the drill hammer motor, assoelated with the boom structure, an element of the latter providing a constant pressurev chamber through which motive uid flows to the'A motor.

Anotherfobject' is to provide a novel arrangevment 'of' the boom structure on the carriagey of the drill rig whereby the drill hammer lmotor is rigidly supported in drilling'` position irrespec-y tive of the adjusted position of the boomy structure. These and other'objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more rig shown in Fig. 1.

. Fig. 3 is an enlarged viewl in central longitudinal vertical section, taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, with parts shown in elevation to facilitate illustration. l

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical Asectional `view taken substantially on line 4-'4 of Fig. v3. i

Fig. 5 is an enlarged `detail sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

v Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail 'vertical sectional" view taken on line Ii-Bof Fig. 2.

Fig. "I is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 1.4 j

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing the drill rig in a. br'e`as`t drilling posi-l tion. f

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view in end elevation showing the drill rig in vertical ydrilling posi# tion. o i' Fig. 10 is a `diagrammatic plan View showing the drill rigl in a position to drill vertical broach holes.

Fi`g. 1ljis adiagrammatc view in side elevation showing the drill rig in a' snake hole-drill# ing position.y y Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view in side `elevation showing the drill rigfin a position to drill a snake hole near the ground level. Fig.` 13 vis a diagrammatic plan view showing the `4drill rig in a posi-tion' for drilling horizontal broach holes. i

In this illustrative embodiment of `the"inven` tion, there is shown a portable drill rig for a hammerrockdrill, comprising ay carriage frame or chassis Isupport'ed at onev end ,byapair of wheels 2 and 'at the opposite end by a'swiveled 25 caster wheel 3, the wheels preferably having pneumatic tires.v Attached to the caster wheel 3 'is'aconventional tow bar 4. The carriage frame o r chassis I' has tubular vside members 5, 5

' diverging outwardly andiunited at their :adjacent 30 ends by an upright frame 6, herein of inverted U shape and havingv a top cross bar 1 rigidly braced with'respect to vvthe side members 5 by bracing webs 8; Secured to the vertical side arms 9, 9 of the'frame l4 and extending transverselytherebetween beneath the top cross bar l, is a frame I0 (see Fig. 4), and this `frame has a vertical bearing II for a swivel frame' I2 of the caster wheely '3. The side members 5 of the carrialge frame are laterally braced by a'transverse tubular member I3 extending beneath the side members andsecured at its ends Vwithin dependingbracketsv I4k rigidly d x'ed to the side members 5. The widely spaced ends of the diverging side members of the' carriage frame have secured thereto brackets- I5, and swivelly mounted on thesebracketsare frames I6 carrying the wheels 2 and having vertical shafts I'I (see Fig.,7) journaled within the brackets I5. Each of these brackets I5 has a pair of holes "I8 adapted to reg- 50 ister with a corresponding hole lin each ofthe frames I6,v and locking pins I9 are insertible in the `registering holes for 'rigidly locking the frames I6 in either of two positions. Due to the pivotal connection ofthe wheeled frames' I6 respectively,

with the brackets I 5, the wheels 2 may be turned about the axes of the vertical shafts I1 from the position shown in Fig. 1 through substantially 90, into the position shown in Figs. l0 and 13, and rigidly locked in position by the locking pins I9. This enables the carriage, when the caster wheel is turned into the position shown in Figs. and 13, to be moved laterally instead of longitudinally, a feature desirable in accomplishing certain drilling operations, as will later be explained. Slidably mounted on the side m'embers 5 of the carriage frame, between the transverse member I3 and the end frame 6, are the clamps of brackets 28 for adjustable anchor pins 2I whereby the carriage frame may be held steady during the drilling operation. These anchor pins are adjustably mounted in swivel members 22 and may be clamped in adjusted position by setscrews 23.

kIn this illustrative construction, pivotally mounted at 24 in a relatively high position on the top cross bar 1 ofI the end frame 6 midway between the side members 5 of the carriage frame, is an elongated boom 25, the swivel mounting at 24 being in the form of a clamp 26 which may be tightened, if desired, to hold the boom inA its different adjusted positions about its pivot axle. The boom 25 is swingable upwardly and downwardly in a vertical direction about its swivel mounting on the cross bar 1, and the boom-swinging means comprises a nonrotatable screw 21 pivotally connected at 28 to depending flanges 29 integral with a bracket 30 secured to the outer end of the boom. Threadedly engaging at 3| the screw 21, is a rotatable nut 32 journaled in a frame 33 swiveled at 34 in a relatively low position on the cross member I 3 midwaybetween the side members of the carriage frame, this frame 33 constituting in part a tubular sleeve-like portion through which the screw 21 extends, as shown in Fig. 3. Formed on the nut 32 is a worm wheel 35 (see Fig. 5) with which meshes aworm 36 fixed to a transverse shaft 31, herein suitably journaled Within the frame 33. Fixed to the Worm shaft 31 is a handle 38 whereby the nut may be rotated through the worm gearing. By manipulating the handle 38 the boom 25 may be swung, through the worm gearing and screw and nut mechanism, in a vertical direction about its pivot into any desired position between that shown in Fig. 8 and that shown in Fig. 12. The boom clamp 26 and frame 33 are slidably mounted on the top cross bar 1 and transverse member I3 for lateral adjustment relative thereto, thereby enabling the boom 25 to be located at different positions between the sides of the carriage.

Now referring to the swivel mounting at the outer end of the boom, it will be noted that the frame 30 has a transverse bore 39 opening at its ends within conical sockets 4D and 4I at the apposite sides of the frame. `Arranged in the v frame bore is the cylindricalportion 42 of a swiveled support 43, the latter having a conical portion 44 fitting the socket 4I. Positioned in the opposite socket 40 is a conically-shaped clamp member 45, and a bolt 46 extends through open# ings in the support and clamp member whereby the portion '44 and the clamp member 45 may be drawn toward one another within their sockets, frictionally to clamp the parts tightly in position. The swiveled support 43 has a laterally offset conical socket 41 arranged at right. angles to the sockets 40 and 4 I, for receiving a conical portion or swivel trunnion 48 of a drill support 49. Opening into the socket 41 in the swiveled frame 43 is a bore 50 within which projects a cylindrical portion 5I of the drill support 49, and arranged in an opening in the latter is a bolt 52 engaging a clamping plate 53, the latter in turn engaging an outer surface 54 of the support 43, as shown in Fig. 6. When the bolt 52 is tightened, the conical portion 48 of the drill support is drawn tightly within the socket 41, frictionally to clamp the drill support 49 in position on the swiveled support 43. It will thus be seen that the drill support may be swiveled about rectangularly re lated axes relative to the boomf and firmly clamped in adjusted position.

In this illustrative construction. the drill support 49 has fixed thereto a pair of parallel tubular guides 55, 55 integrally united therewith, these guidesherein in the form of feed cylinders containing feed pistons having rearwardly extendving piston rods 56. Slidably guided on 'the tubular guide members 55 is a drill hammer motor, generally designated 51, for percussively actuating a drill steel 58 in the manner well known to those skilled in the art. The piston rods 56 are connected at their rear ends by a transverse member 59; and a rod 68. arranged parallel with and between the piston rods, connects this transverse member with the rear end of the hammer motor so that when the feed pistons are moved within'the feed cylinders the hammer motor is slid longitudinally relative to the guide members 55 to effect feed of the drill steel toward and from the work. A conventional drill steel centralizer 6I is mounted atthe forward ends of the guide members 55 in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2, for guiding the drill steel during spotting of a hole. The hammer motor 51 is of the conventional pressureefluid-actuated reciprocatory piston type, and is provided with a throttle valve mechanism 62 for controlling the supply of motive fluid to the motor to eiect reciprocation of the hammer piston and to the feed cylinders to e'ect reciprocation of the feed pistons. In this instance, a portion of the boom structure constitutes an element of the fluid supply means for the hammer motor; and to afford this the boom 25 is of tubular form and has formed therein a constant pressure chamber 63 to one end of which pressure iiuid may be supplied through a pipe connection 64. The opposite end of the constant pressure chamber 63 is connected by a flexible hose connection 65 to the throttle valve mechanism 62 of the drill hammer motor and feed cylinders. It will thus be seen that pressure fluid flows to the hammer motor and feed cylinders from'the pipe connection 64 through the constant pressure chamber 63 in the boom, and thence through the flexible hose connection.` 65 to the throttle valve mechanism. The constant pressure chamber obviates pressure fluctuations in the supply line leading to the motor cylinder intake, in a well known manner. The feeding structure and hammer motor disclosed herein may be similar to those disclosed in the patent to M. C. Huffman, No. 2,015,678, patented Oct. 1, 1935. It will be evident that various types of feeding means may be employed in lieu of that disclosed, as, for instance, an automatic feeding mechanism of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 192,902, filed Feb. 28, 1938.

The general mode of operation of the improved drill rig is as follows. The drill rig may be towed from one working place to another by the tow bar ment with the floor to steady the drill.` Motivev fluid may then be supplied to the hammer motor, under the control of the throttle valve mechanism 62, through the pipe connection 64, the constant pressure chamber 63 in the boom 25, and the flexible hose connection 65; and as the hammer motor operates it may be fed along its guides 55, also under the control of the throttle valve mechanism 62. The boom 2-5 may be swung in avertical direction about its swivel mounting simply by turning the handle 38 to rotate the nut 32, thereby to move the screw 2l axially relative to the nut, and the screw and nut cooperate to lock the boom in its adjusted position. By loosening the conical clamps 44 and 48, the ldrill support may be swung in a vertical direction about a horizontal axis relative to the boom, and horizontally relative to the boom about a vertical axis; into any desired position, and thereafter may be firmly clamped in adjusted position by tightening the clamping bolts 46 and 52. vBy the provision of the horizontal swivel at the outer end of the boom 25, the drill guide may be swung either above or below the boom, as desired. From the foregoing, it will be evident that horizontal breast holes may be drilled in the working face at various lo cations without moving the carriage of the drill rig. During vertical drilling in the oor, the 'drill guide may be swung about its horizontal swivel relative to theboom 25, into the position shown in Fig. 9. An alined series of vertical vbroachf holes may be drilled in the floor by adjusting the wheels 2 and the caster wheel 3 into the position' `desired series of alined holes is obtained. During` the drilling of a series of horizontal vbroach.

holes, the drill guide may be swung into the horizontal position shown in Fig. 13, and, with the wheels in the same position shown-ln Fig. 10,

the drill rig may be moved. laterally through a` series of horizontal drill-supporting positions.

When it is desired to drill a snake hole in the' Working face above the floor level, the boom 25 may be swung downwardly by the screwand nut mechanism, and the drill guide may be swung about its horizontal swivel into the position shown in Fig. 11, withthe drill guide above the boom. During "snake hole drilling near the iioor level, the drill guide is swung about its horizontal swivel beneath the boom, as shownin Fig. 12. yIf desired, the drill guide may be swung about its vertical swivel relative to the boom to drillholes in directions extending transversely of the drill rig, and by swiveling the drill guide about both of its swivel axes, holes may be vdrilled in various inclined positions with respect to the horizontal and vertical.

In any of the above drill-supporting positions of the drill rig, the anchor pins 2l may beadjusted into engagement-with the iloor to steady the drill during the drilling operation, and by the provision of theadjustable clamps for the anchor pins the latter .may .be adjusted into various floor-engaging positions, as desired. .Due to the particular arrangement of the boom and boomadjusting means relative to the carriage. the drill guide is maintained yextremely steady in all adjusted positions thereof. When it is desired to transport the drill rig from'one working place to another, the wheels 2 are lockedin the position shown in Fig. 1so that when the drill guide and boom are in the position shown in Fig.- 2 the drill rigvmay be moved longitudinally over the ground. Other uses and-advantages of the im- I proved'drill rig will be clearly apparent to those skilledin the art. i y Y While there is inthis application specifically described one form which theinvention may assume in practice,` it will be understood that thisl form is shown for'purposesof illustration and that the inventionmay be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or thescope ofthe appended claims.

What I claim as! new and desire to secure -by` 25 1. Arock drill rig comprising, in combination,

Letters Patent is: I y

a wheel-supportedcarrlage having .iside frame members and a transverse frame uniting said side iframey members at one end of they carriage, a

transverse bracing member extending across and connectingsaid side frame members substantially midway'between the ends of the carriage, the op-K posite end of said carriage beyond said transverse bracing member being .open and the spacebetween said side frame'members at said opposite` carriage end being free and unobstructed, a boom pivotally' mounted on said transverse frame to swing -in .a vertical direction relative to said car-l tending upwardly through said space between said side frame members `f or swingingsaid boom about its pivot, and a drill support mounted at the outer end of said boom.

2. A rock drillA rigcomprising, in combination;-

a wheel-supported carriage having side frame members and-a transverse frame uniting said side frame members at one-endfof the carriage. a transverse bracing member'extending across and connecting' said side frame members substantially midway 'between the` ends of the carriage, the oppositeend of said carriage beyond said transversev bracing memberbeing open and the space vbetween said side frame members at said opposite' carriage endv being free andunobstructed, a'iboom pivotally mounted on said transverse frame to swing in a vertical directionrelative to said carriage withits outer end disposed at said opposite support located in said space between saidl side frame members at said open end of said carriage. .3. A rock drill rig comprising, in combination,

a wheel-supported carriage having` side frame members and a transverse frame uniting said side framemembers at one end of the carriage, a

4 transverse bracing member extending across and connecting said side frame members substantially midway between the ends of the carriage, the opposite end of said carriage beyond said transverse bracing member being open and the space between said side frame members being free and unobstructed, a boom pivotally mounted on said transverse frame to swing in a vertical direction relative to said carriage with its outer end disposed at said opposite end of the carriage, adjustable means connected to the outer end of said boom beneath the latter and to said transverse bracing member and extending upwardly through said space between said side frame members for swinging said boom about its pivot and'for locking said boom in its adjusted position', and a drill support mounted at 'the outer end of said boom. l

4. A rock drill rig comprising, in combination, a wheel-supported carriage having side frame members and a transverse frame uniting said side frame members at one end of the carriage and having a horizontal portion arranged at a relatively high point above said side frame members, a transverse bracing member extending across and connecting said side frame members substantiallymidway between the ends of the carriage, said transverse member being arranged at a relatively low point beneath said side frame members, the opposite end of said carriage beyond said transverse bracing member being open and the space between said side frame members at said opposite carriage end being free and unobstructed', a boom pivotally mounted on the horizontal portion of said transverse frame to swing in a vertical direction-relative to said carriage with its outer'end disposed at said opposite end of the carriage, adjustable means connected to the outer end of said boom beneath the latter and to said transverse bracing member and extending upwardly through said space between said side frame members for swinging said boom about its pivot, and a drill support mounted at the outer end of said boom.

5. A rock drill rig comprising, in combination, a carriage frame having one end thereof free and unobstructed providing an open space, supporting wheels for said frame, a support overlyingsaid carriage frame and mounted thereon at the opposite end of the frame for adjustment in a vertical direction relativeV thereto, adjustable means mounted on said carriage frame and connected to the outer end of said support beneath the latter for adjusting said support in a vertical direction, a support mounted on said adjustable support at the free and unobstructed end of said carriage frame, said last mentioned support pivotally mounted on said iirst support to swing relative thereto about a horizontal axis, a third support pivotally mounted on said second support to swing relative thereto on a vertical axis, and a drill support mounted on said last mentioned pivoted support, said first mentioned support being adjustable into a position wherein its'outer end lies within the open space atv the free and unobstructed end of said carriage frame.

6. A rock drill rig comprising, infcombination, a carriage frame having one end thereof free and unobstructed providing an open space, supporting wheels for said frame, a support overlying said carriage frame and mounted thereon at the opposite end of the frame for adjustment in a vertical direction relative thereto, a support mounted on said adjustable support at the free and unobstructed end of said carriage frame, said last mentioned support pivotally mounted on said first support to swing relative thereto about a horizontal axis, a third support pivotally mounted on said second support to swing relative thereto on a vertical axis, extensible means connected to said carriage frame and the outer end of said adjustable support beneath' the latter and extending upwardly through said open space for adjusting said adjustable support in a vertical direction relative to said carriage frame, and a drill support mounted on said last mentioned pivoted support, said iirst mentioned support being adjustable into a position wherein its outer end lies within the open space at the free and unobstructed end of said carriage frame.

7. A drill rig comprising, in combination, a carriage framehaving spaced side members and a frame connecting said side members at one end of the carriage frame, said connecting frame having a transverse horizontal portion located above said side members, supporting wheels for said carriage frame, a transverse bracing member connecting said lside members and arranged beneath the latter, the opposite end of said carriage beyond said transverse bracing member being open and the spacebetween said side members at said opposite carriage end being free and unobstructed, a boom pivotally mounted on said transverse horizontal frame portion substantially midway between said carriage frame side members, said boom swingable about its pivot in a vertical direction relative to said carriage frame and having its outer end swingable downwardly into a position wherein its outer end lies in saidv space between said carriage side members at said opposite end of said carriage frame, an extensible adjusting mechanism connected to the outer end of said boom beneath the latter and to said transverse bracing member and extending upwardly through said space between said side members for swinging said boom about its pivot, and a drill support carried by said boom at the outer end of the latter.

8. A drill rig comprising, in combination, a carriage frame having outwardly diverging side members andan inverted U-shaped frame uniting the adjacent ends of said side frame members at one end of said carriage frame, said U- shaped frame having a horizontal portion disposedat a relatively high point transversely above said side frame members and depending side arm portions secured tov said side frame members, a frame extending transversely between said side arm portions beneath said horizontal portion, a caster wheel swivelled on said last mentioned frame for supporting one end of said carriage frame, a pair of wheels for supporting the opposite end of said carriage frame, a boom pivotally mounted on said horizontal frame portion to swing in a vertical direction relative thereto and having its outer end located in adjacency to said opposite end of said carriage frame, and a drill support mounted at the outer end of said boom.

9. A drill rig comprising, in combination, a carriage frame having outwardly diverging side members and an inverted U-shaped frame uniting the adjacent ends of said side frame members at one end of said carriage frame, said U-shaped frame having a horizontal portion disposed at a relatively high point transversely above saidv a caster wheel swivelled on said last mentioned frame for supporting one 'end of said carriage frame, a pair of wheels for supporting the opposite end of said carriage frame, a boom piv-v transverse member extending between and con.

necting said carriage side members and arranged beneath the latter, adjustable means connectedV to `the outer end of said boom beneath the latter andto said transverse member for swinging said boom about its pivot, and a drill support mounted at the outer end of said boom.

10. A rock drill rig comprising,` in combination,

-a wheel-supported carriage having side frame members and a transverse frame uniting said s'ide frame members at one end of the carriage, a transverse bracing member extending across and connecting said side frame members substantially midway between the ends of theV carriage, the opposite end of said carriage beyond said transverse bracing member being open and -the space between said side frame -members being free and unobstructed, a boom pivotally mounted on said transverse frame to swingin a vertical direction relative to said carriage with its outer end disposed at said opposite end of the carriage,

adjustable means connected to said boom beneath the latter and to said transverse bracing member and extending upwardly through said space between said side frame members for swinging said boom about its-pivot,gsaid boom and boom adjusting means being slidabl` relative to said transverse frame and said transverse bracing member into diierent laterally located positions on the carriage, and a drill support mounted at the outer end of said boom.

1l. A drill rig comprising, in combination, a

carriage frame having spaced side members 'anda frame connecting said side members at one end of the carriage frame, said connecting frame having a transverse horizontal portion located above said side members, supporting wheels for said carriage frame, a transverse bracing member connecting said side members and arranged beneath the latter, the opposite end `of said carriage beyond said transverse bracing member being open and the space between said side members at said opposite carriage end being free and unobstructed, a boom pivotally mounted on said transverse horizontal frame portion substantially midway between said carriage frame side members, said boom swingable about its pivot in a vertical direction relative to said carriage frame and having its outer end swingabledownwardly into a position wherein its outer end lies in said space between said carriage side members at said opposite end of said carriage frame, an extensibleV adjusting mechanism connectedv to the outer end of said boom beneath the' latter and to said transverse bracingv member and extending upwardly through said space between said side members for swinging said boom about its pivot, said boom and said extensible adjusting mechanism being slidable along said transverse horizontal portion and said transverse bracing member into different laterally located positions on the carriage frame, and a drill support carried at the outer end o1' said boom. Y,

12. A rock drill rig comprising, in combination,

a wheel-supported `carriage having side frame members andra transverse frame uniting said side frame members atone end of the carriage, a transverse bracing member extending acrossand .connecting said side frame members substantially midway between the ends of the carriage, the opposite end of said carriage beyond said transverse bracing member being open and the space between said side frame members'being free and unobstructed, a boom pivotally mounted on said transverse frame to swingin a vertical direction relative to said carriage with its outer end disposed at said opposite end of the carriage,

' adjustable means connected to the outer end of said boom beneath the latter and to said transverse bracing member and extending upwardly through said space between said side frame members for swinging said boom about its pivot and for locking said boom in its adjusted position, and a drill support mounted at the outer end of said boom,A said boom swinging means being ad-` justable to swing said boom downwardly into a position wherein its outer end'lies between said side frame members with said drill support located in said space between said side frame membersr at said open end of said carriage. f

13. A rock drill rig comprising, in combination, a wheel-supported carriage having side frame members and a transverse frame uniting said side frame members at one end of the carriage and having a horizontal portion arranged at a. relatively high point above said side frame members, a transverse bracing member extending across and connecting said side frame members vsubstamtially midway between the ends of the carriage, said transverse member being arranged at a relatively'low point beneath said side frame members, the opposite end of said carriage beyond said transverse bracing member being open riage with its outer end disposed atsaid opposite end of the carriage, adjustable means connected to the outer end of said boom beneath the latter and to said transverse bracingl member and extending upwardly through said space between said side frame members for swinging said boom about its pivot, and a drill support mounted at the outer end of said boom, said boom swinging means being adjustable to swing said boom downwardly into a position wherein its outer end lies between said sdeframe members with said drill support located in said space between said side frame members at said openend of said carriage.

J. C. CURTIS. 

